Saudi Arabia issues driving licences to first 10 women
Saudi Arabia has issued the first driving licenses to 10 women as it prepares to lift the world’s only ban on women driving on June 24.
“The first group of women today received their Saudi driving licences,” the official Saudi Press Agency said.
“The general directorate of traffic started replacing international driving licences recognised in the kingdom with Saudi licences.”
SPA said authorities started swapping international licences for Saudi ones in multiple locations across the kingdom, with women applicants made to undergo a “practical test”.
The move is part of crown prince Mohammed bin Salman’s far-reaching liberalisation drive as he seeks to modernise the conservative petrostate.
The self-styled reformer, who recently undertook a global tour aimed at reshaping his kingdom’s austere image, has sought to break with long-held restrictions on women and the mixing of the genders.
But casting a shadow on the reforms, Saudi Arabia last week said it detained 17 people for “undermining” the kingdom’s security, in what campaigners have dubbed a sweeping crackdown against activists.
Rights groups have identified many of the detainees as women campaigners for the right to drive and to end the country’s male guardianship system. Authorities said eight of the detainees had been “temporarily released” until their investigation is completed. AGENCIES